HOT DEBATE: "DO ZANU-PF KIDS DESERVE MERCY???"

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Zanu-PF officials descendants do not deserve any sympathy

Fri, 28 Sep 2007 00:08:00

 

George Chirikure

 

The ex-US ambassador to Zimbabwe Christopher Dell had earlier on hinted to Zimbabwe's governing/ruling political delinquents about the wrath to come. The additional measures specifically against the despot himself (President Mugabe) and his pillaging troops involve a campaign to send back to Zimbabwe their children and other direct dependants.

Five months ago I wrote an article advocating for the same measures to be instituted by the West and her partners to a wider network of the regime's corrupt diehards. A month or so ago the Australian Government announced similar action targeting 8 children of President Mugabe's top bootlickers studying there. For proponents of such measures like me, am definitely saying God's reply takes long to come, but it always finally comes.

 

I salute and praise the Australian government for its principled position against the dictator, his descendants and everything he stands for. At times it appears as if those of us advocating for these stern measures are jealous or lack human morals. Far from the truth, the fact here is that a sibling of a snake is snake. The siblings feed on what their mothers and fathers rob and abuse from helpless and impoverished Zimbabweans. Therefore our human morality starts here.

 

Definitely President Mugabe was angered to the bone by the Australian government's resoluteness in dealing with his evilness. He promised to take tougher reciprocal measures. He also forgets that he often claims that his violent land reform was a direct punishment against these "imperialists". For sure the net effects of such reciprocal measures shall be felt in Zimbabwe more than elsewhere. Of course President Matibili is determined to pretend to see things the other way.

 

For Zimbabweans who want to see consistency in President Mugabe's political ideology and rule, we prefer to see the direct dependents of our rulers, living, working and studying in Zimbabwe where they shall enjoy the good governance and prosperity brought about by their fathers, mothers and grandpas. Furthermore, we shall not bother ourselves if they can work, live and study in China, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, Venezuela, etc.

 

Recently President Mugabe scoffed at Zimbabweans who flee his misrule and prefer to live and work as servants in the UK and elsewhere. Ironically he did not scoff at his lieutenants who are equally desperate to have their children and grandchildren study, live and work in the same imperialist states which "harbour ambitions to recolonize" Zimbabwe.

 

He also did not mention his great desire to go Lisbon in December despite the fact that this Portuguese city is a piece of Europe. Thus, everything is morally right and justifiable when it meets the political ego and desire of Cde Gushungo, no matter how costly it is to his country, people and others.

 

A good and simple example of ideological consistency was what the Soviets did by erecting the Berlin Wall so as to ensure that no East German escapes to the West. However, what President Matibili Mugabe and his clueless Zanu PF thugs are doing by criticizing the West during the day and sending their children and dependents to study, live and work there is disgraceful to begin with and at the worst hypocritical.

 

President Matibili Mugabe is desperately trying to raise moral issues regarding the expelling of RBZ Governor Gono's 2 children, 1 child of ZRP Commissioner Chihuri and 6 others by the Australian government, but how many Zimbabweans are being chased away every week from SA simply because they are looking for a livelihood.

 

We have never heard from him condemning the inhuman treatment of thousands of fellow countrymen at Lindela refuge collection centre in Johannesburg. The reason we all know – because they are presumed to be opposition supporters hence they are less Zimbabwean. As such 8 children of his lieutenants are more Zimbabwean to deserve his protection and sympathy as head of state.

 

For sure those who seem to have misplaced sentiments bordering on human morality with specific reference to the programme to deport Zimbabwe's political delinquents' dependents back home are practicing double standards. President Matibili Mugabe and his bootlickers do not deserve any smallest drop of crocodile tears. We therefore wait kindly to hear more good news coming live from Washington, Wellington, Ottawa and Brussels.

 

41 Comments | Add Your Comment | Forums | Chat |

The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. ZimDaily is not responsible for what they say. Please keep your comments short and sweet. Obscene, tribalistic, racist, vulgar comments will be deleted. Simple HTML is allowed for basic text editing.

Just and Fairness

I do not think that what happened to those children of the ZANU-PF leaders is fair on them. It is in breach of their Human Rights, that is the right to education etc. Yes of cause many people including myself, we are angry about their fathers' political adventures, but that does not mean that all those children support their fathers' policies and are getting their fees paid by the government, some of them might be even supporting MDC. It is also important to note that if people continue to encourage such actions by western countries, let them in future not cry fowl when such policies will be taken on to their children that can be an MDC govt. WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND.

Posted By Proud to be Zimbabwean , UK : Sep 28 2007 01:37 AM

GEORGE CHIRIKURE

YOU MUST BE A BLINKING IDIOT .AT a time when everyone els is bracing for hope after the agreement between MDC and ZANU PF you are still spewing hate.Where is your social responsibility in nation building

Posted By Tonderai , Muzarabani Zimbabwe : Sep 28 2007 01:38 AM

Back to your OLD STUPID SELF.

After being sobered by harsh attacks from your ludcrous readership on this site and writing what looked like a remotely balanced article on CAB 18 YOU ARE NOW BACK TO YOUR TRADEMARK STUPIDITY. Well, do you pose to listen to yourself when you refer to the West as the "powers" especially in the context of them fighting for your cause against a fellow blackman. Your harlotous mother should have known better than hiding the truth from the Chirikures. Tava kuzotaura chokwadi manje.

Posted By Wenjere , zimheartland : Sep 28 2007 01:55 AM

CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE

The League of Zimbabwe Democrats is getting ready to start a campaign of faxing pro-democracy literature to government fax machines throughout the country. We need fax numbers of government officials/departments etc etc. please email to zimbabwedemocrats@comcast.net

Posted By LZD , Secret Hide away in Harare : Sep 28 2007 03:09 AM

MaCIO

Imi maCIO vana Proud, Wenjere na Tonderai munofunga kuti asingazivi kuti muri maCIO imbwa dzaMugabe ndiyani. Chamufira, mafuza evanhu! George is very correct, this issue of taking back these spoilt kids to Zimland is that they realize they are just like any other Zimbabweans whom their fathers have inflicted suffering upon, liable to the effects of their fathers' misdeeds. Zvarwadzaka because mava kukwenywa. Gore rino muchati baba nemuridzo.

Posted By Ordinary ZImbo , China : Sep 28 2007 03:45 AM

Yowe

Twuvana twaGono twurikuziti Proud,Tonderai etc. Tworikushaya hope kujaira nguva dzekuAustralia. Vatai haikona kunyora zvisina basa. Thanks George for the nice spirit

Posted By Matinji , Hre, Zimbabwe : Sep 28 2007 04:00 AM

Thanks George

yebo good article goerge - We are free of the Gono bitches in Melbourne now may the good work continue

Posted By mike pashata , oz : Sep 28 2007 04:25 AM

Iye Abigero wacho kushat

Ungati chipoko abigero Mohadi wacho iyo meke up kunge afambwa ne buttefly kumeso. Ngavadzokere kumusha vanoona moto kusina makeup imbwa dzevanhu. Uyu arikizviti Proud naTonderai muri matatya evanhu nhunzvatunzva ngadzidzokere kumusha kuno kuuye hama dzedu dzirikushaiwa mavhiza.Wangu muvhunnzo ndewekuti vanodei kuno kumusha kunana baba vavo kunovava here? Mari ndooyakadai kuvawandira saka ngavadhipotwe vanomhanya nema 4x4 ana baba vavo tsvuuramuromo dzevanhu.

Posted By Mai Tee , NZ : Sep 28 2007 05:13 AM

Abigero Mohadi

Kana nebra haana zamhu kudonha kunge akayamwisa vana ten. Kuhura muchinyanya ana Abigero imbwa yemunhu endai kumusha uku munofa neAids mharapatsetse nzwinzwi tsvuuramuromo.

Posted By memory , NZ : Sep 28 2007 05:18 AM

I PITY ZIMBOS

Wen people learn to separate emotions from politics then zimbabwe will be a better place.I do not support the move to deport these kids,its a matter of a woman scorned thats making people want to see these kids brough back home.It is a clear case of human rights abuse and if we feel kuti we different from Matibili then how come we still think like him.We need to look at the bigger picture how is sending these children back home going to change the situation in zimabwe,you think briningin these kids back will change the hearts of the fathers who steal from us,God forbid they become worse.Lets use logic people this thang zimdaily is advocating for is nonsense and i think they should focus on more pressing issues,i do hope they do have the legal knowledge about the articles they write and about how they want people`s infomation published on the internet.Zimdaily as one or ur frequent visitors dont get too overzealous..coz mutemo wakaoma,especially since muri in the west already.This is not a threat but friendly advice

Posted By SORUSHENI , STATES : Sep 28 2007 05:49 AM

sorusheni

what you have effectivley said is a threaty and i say to you GET LOST.iF A MAN LIKE oJ SIMPSON CAN BE LABELLED by Jay leno as a murderer but he was proved innocent in na court of law- then freedom of speech iriko baba.. OJ cant sue. and zimdaily has done much less than that. so if you want to give advice friendly or otherwise ipa kuhure rako - get lost

Posted By mike pashata , oz : Sep 28 2007 06:03 AM

stupid pashata

It is however the rate of the Zimbabwe dollar to the major currencies that puts the crisis into perspective. If you need Z$930 000 to buy a single pound, what this means is that if the Central Bank had not removed 3 zeroes from the currency, the actual rate is close to a billion Zimbabwe dollars to the UK pound. The price control measures government tried to impose on the business community have backfired miserably and caused the extreme shortage of essential items.

Posted By kemob , oz : Sep 28 2007 06:17 AM

no title

Please we in the Diaspora must hit back at ZANu-PF in every way no matter how small or big! VIVA ZIMDAILY! Thank you! Rev Mufaro Stig Hove. www.zimfinalpush.blogspot.com

Posted By ZIMFINALPUSH , AZANIA/RSA : Sep 28 2007 06:18 AM

anaSORUSHEN

Washaya nyaya here iwe Sorushen? Maemotions aunotaura ndeye vanhu varirwadziwa saka rega emotions dzibude kuti vanhu vaexpresse zviri mumoyo yavo pane kuti vagare negodo stress inouraya mfesi saka maemotions ngaabude kuti therapy iite.

Posted By Orivha wekuAmerika , Louisville, KY USA : Sep 28 2007 06:51 AM

iwe sorusheni

unongoti kushata haikona asi unodanana neone of the kids varikutaurwa nezvawo.hindava uchitaura zvekaora kudaro vana ava ngavamame chete jus like madhara acho achamama chete uri kustates hausikuona nhamo iri muno irikukonzerwa nemadhara aya.zimdaily ndinoitenda necourage yayaita viva fairdeal.pfutseki mhani sorushen urihuku chaiyo iwe usataura madhodhi akadaro mhani kurawo iwe.

Posted By the man , zimhell : Sep 28 2007 07:18 AM

Tonderai

You must live on another planet, don't be fooled by those bullshyte talks, they are a waste of fcuken time. ZANU PF has never had the nation's interests at heart and why would they start now? All they are trying to do is 'legitimise' the carnage they are going to unleash in the coming months. Please save the drama for your mama and go and preach somewhere else. The only nation building ZANU PF can do is to step down en-masse.....failing that it'll be the same shyte different day.

Posted By Fcuk Zanu! , Caracas : Sep 28 2007 07:19 AM

Harrildon (Harry) Chiririwa

Get him deported from Cape Town. He is a serious CIO official purporting to be a PhD student in Chemistry at the University of Cape Town. His father was a senior CIO officer responsible for massacres in Matebeleland during Gukurahundi. Harry was a CIO officer from the time he was at NUST and got the whole SRC expelled. His brother was sent to the USA as an Intelligence Attache for CIO. Harry is a serious bitch , he buys prostitutes beer in Mowbray, Mzoli, Gugulethu and Kheyelisha using taxpayers money. He bought a bar called Lobantu in Mowbray, Cape Town using taxpayers money.

Posted By Marshall "the weatherman" , University of Cape Town, SA : Sep 28 2007 08:13 AM

casanova

zvarwadzaka , yes ngava dzoke timame tese kana nesu tanga tinadzo nzvimbo iko ku aussie asi takatadza kuenda nekuti baba vavo vakatinyima mari, asi vana vavo wer staying in condos even the australian working class cound not afford to stay in so much hypocrisy for once very loud men who claimed he "is a turnaround guru" zanu yamunyaradza manje hatichamuona mamapepa nemuna first achiita mainspection emabearer cheque....kuti zii kunge asipo where are your policies now ??????

Posted By dhewa , harare : Sep 28 2007 08:21 AM

its not about the kids only

the isssue is about FEAR, fear that should it sufficiently sour enough tinomanyepi kuenda kuexile kunodya our begotten gains and of course kuti mari dzavo dzavanoisa mumaforeign bank accounts information sooner or later will be released for public consumption and the realisation that they have been exposed and lost face and yet all this time they thought they well hidden.As for sorusheni and company munoshamisa kwazvo am sure hamugoni kana nyaya dzepabonde nekuti munosiirira zvakawanda muchiti zvidikiki kumbe ndozvinotoita kuti zvigutse wanike vakadzi venyu vatotunda muhope.KUBIKA usavi uchisiya twacho tunochachirisa hapana anodya akazeya pasi pemumango, saka ndati ZANU NGAITIRWE zvese kuti itunde.

Posted By mai misodzi , sakubva netara : Sep 28 2007 09:10 AM

Offended

Can someone there pls remove these jumping things from this website. (bottles of cooking oil ,flour etc)

Posted By Chenzara VS Chematama MT , Sanctions Hazvisi Mkoba 4 : Sep 28 2007 09:23 AM

SORUSHENI

What sorusheni can you give me when I have 3 children sleeping hungry everyday because there is no water, no electricity, there is nothing to buy in the shops, my hefty salary is Z$3.8m, I need Z$6.5m for transport, my sister wawakamitisa ukatiza needs my support, no teachers in schools, fees Z$45m per term. Do not talk about emotions which you have no clue about, people in Zimbabwe are just too tolerant.

Posted By Togarepi,Wangu , Masvingo,Zim : Sep 28 2007 09:29 AM

Shameful Zimbabweans

You people have been overtaken by events. You are no longer the proud nation which used to exude unparrelled selr importance over other nations. You used to call other people with such derogatory names like Nyasalande, Senas, Bwidis , Chawas. Now you are calling your president Matibili , which smells Malawian. Why all of a sudden is there a Malawian connection? My herdboy is a former headmaster of a Zimbabwean high school and I am very happy to have the Zimbabwean on my payroll. God how things change!!!!!

Posted By Johnson Achimwene Zhuwawo , Brandari (Blyntire) , Malawi : Sep 28 2007 09:38 AM

Offended

Thanks for removing them. Tanzwa ne njonjo,nemakeve, mafuta aciita toyi, toyi pawebsite. Imwi!!!!

Posted By Chenzara VS Chematama MT , Sanctions Hazvisi Mkoba 4 : Sep 28 2007 09:46 AM

mugabe un

Posted By , gandanga : Sep 28 2007 09:56 AM

where are you

where are all those morons and their descedants who voted ZANU in 1980. You used to insult us who did not support ZANU. Now you are behaving as if you did not play a role in this this. You are all as guilty as Matibili and all ZANU leaders, you put them and you also do not deserve sympathy.May 27 generations of your decendants be cursed by God almighty for bringing this suffering.

Posted By Idlozi Svikiro , Matibili : Sep 28 2007 09:58 AM

first 3 posts

the first 3 posts are from one person. look at pattern of writing, capital letters in mid sentences. the aim of the writer was to try and get pple to think kuti there are many pple against the fair deal campaign - which is not the fact. i support it 100 percent. 99.9 percent pple do :) pamwe harare hospital inga rhinovhetwawo tozorapirwa ikoko tose nana pride

Posted By Mandivenga , : Sep 28 2007 10:06 AM

Support fair deal

I support fair deal but I think it should be extended to include all those who supported ZANU from 1963 and all their descendants who have fled the country. If I remember well in 1983 to 1985 when I was in Harare, I was treated like a dissident by these Mugabe zealots not by Mugabe. Now they claim not to like this man. In their tribalistic, dirty minds I was a dissident because i supported ZAPU. Now they think they are better than Mugabe while it is their actions that created this monster, you applauded every time when he made snide comments about ZAPU and Matabeleland. You are all as guilty as ZANU. In Mabelreign people used to look at us funny when we spoke in Ndebele, to them we were dissidents because we did not like ZANU and Mugabe. Fair deal should be fair and include all these people, if you cant include them then leave the children of ZANU leaders alone. At least their fathers are openly snakes, not yours who are hiding their guilt by blaming others. A person should learn to take responsibilty for their actions

Posted By Idlozi Svikiro , Matibili Bosso : Sep 28 2007 10:29 AM

IDLOZI SVIKIRO! GROW UP!

IDLOZI SVIKIRO IS A LUNATIC! Where are the records kept of all who supported ZANU-PF from 1963? Perhaps you are 8 years old! Do know the complexity of ZANU history? Many Opposition leaders Patrick Kombayi were once Senior ZANU Leaders! M S Hove...Rev. www.zimfinalpush.blogspot.com

Posted By M S Hove...Rev. , AZANIA! : Sep 28 2007 11:00 AM

MS HOVE THATS WHAT I SAID

I said if you dont have the records for everyone then to be fair we need to to leave these children alone. We cannot punish half of the equation. For information I was 20 in 1963.Leave the children alone havana mosva. Are you afraid to confront the fathers or the honourable Cde Robert Gabriel Mugabe the fisrt democratically elected leader of the independent republic of Zimbabwe.

Posted By Idlozi svikoro , : Sep 28 2007 11:41 AM

Idzozi

We wont leave them alone! If you are not happy with the campaign GET LOST. We wont leave them alone (Full Stop)

Posted By Rombe , Harare : Sep 28 2007 12:00 PM

SVIKIRO...

Like I also said, the people at home trust us in the Diaspora to do whatever we can! No side-shows from the likes of the so-called SVIKIRO! www.zimfinalpush.blogspot.com

Posted By M S Hove...Rev. , AZANIA! : Sep 28 2007 12:05 PM

idlozi sviroko

I have read lunatic posts on here but you are beyond help. The USA fully supported Osama Bin Laden, his Mujahedeen and the Taliban against the Soviet invation during the 1979 - 1989 Afghan war. Now that the USA is bombing these same groups in Afghanistan and anyone who supports them, do you also expect them to bomb the pentagon and all those US symbols of power????? kana wadhinhiwa nekuti hama dzako dza depotwa ridza mhere, urimhata.

Posted By Wenjere , Wenjere : Sep 28 2007 12:10 PM

Svikiro reduzvi

Asi unosvikigwa? Who are you trying to defend who would be more important than some of us who have already been deported, uri duzvi sezita rako. The flood gates are already open, some of us are already back in Zim and we expect all that other stupid sons and daughters of brainless ministers to be thrown out too.

Posted By Passion Gono , Harare, Zimbabwe : Sep 28 2007 12:21 PM

Fair deal not fair

if you are fair why list people like Nqo Lesabe who left Zimbabwe in 1986 running away from Gukurahundi. His only crime is that his mother later joined ZANU. Use your brains not emotions.Rev. I read your story about what you did for ZANU, you want to be like Saul who turned to Paul in the bible.Lingani thuka kodwa ngibhala iqiniso. Nditukeyi but munosiva kuti ndirikunyora chokwadi.

Posted By idlozi svikiro , : Sep 28 2007 12:57 PM

Idlozi

We dont care about what you say. Fair Deal continues whether you like it or not. Please stop making noise for us and Leave us and Fair Deal alone

Posted By Gaigusu , SA : Sep 28 2007 01:14 PM

SVIKIRO

MUDHIDHI UNE MAPUNDU SEWEHUKU, URI TRIBALIST YOU HATE SHONAS MUSATANYOKO MACHENDE ARI PAHUMA.

Posted By YGVFV , SADJFCD : Sep 28 2007 01:31 PM

YGVFV , SADJFCD

if I hated shonas then I would hate my mother from Buhera, chief Nyashanu area, Mhofu yemukomo, Shava (thats my mother). Read my input, being Zapu and speaking Ndebele does not make you Ndebele. Why then insult me?

Posted By idlozi svikiro , Odzi : Sep 28 2007 01:53 PM

ITS FAIR

THOSE SYMPATHISING A BENEFICIARIES WHO A NOT DIRECTLY BUT LINKED TO THE ZANU PF THEY ALSO NEED TO BE DEPORTED.IF THE EDUCATIN SYSTEM Z CONDUCIVE FOR ALL THE ORDINARY ZIMBABWEANS WATS SPECIAL ABT THESE KID? WERE THEY NOT BORN IN ZIM?THEY SHLD COME BACK THIS WII FORCE THEIR PARENTS TO REGARD THE EDUCATION SYSTEM AS WORTHY REVIEWING N MYK IT CONDUS FOR EVERYONEIVE

Posted By STUDENT , ZIMBABWE : Sep 28 2007 01:53 PM

Idlozi Svikiro

I write on my accord! I give Interviews to BBC and anybody else on my accord! My bottom line is to let those living now and in the future the chance to know what really happened in Zim from before 1980. The reason is not so that imbeciles like you can then use it against me! How can we woo ZANU people to a Democratic Dispensation if we will then harrass them using the information they will release? Without using any vulgar...please GROW UP! www.zimfinalpush.blogspot.com

Posted By M S Hove...Rev. , AZANIA! : Sep 28 2007 01:54 PM

SVIKIRO

SVIKIRO HANDIDI KUKUTUKA ASI REGA NDINGOTI UNOTAURA ZVEKUPENGA

Posted By STUDENT , ZIM : Sep 28 2007 01:59 PM

Rev. do not insult others

In Idlozi Svikiros arguments he never called anyone a lunatic or imbecile. You are supposed to be a respectable person but you are using unbecoming language. It shows the traces of ZANU intolerance. Let us show Idlozi Svikiro the way, right now he is showing us the way.You are correct, we need to know what happened during those dark days, people should come forward and say something. I WAS BROUGHT UP AS AN OUTCAST IN TSHOLOTSHO BECAUSE MY MOTHER WAS RAPED BY GUKURAHUNDI AND CONCIEVED ME, I WAS CALLED NAMES. DO YOU THINK I WILL EVER KNOW WHO MY FATHER IS.THIS IS EATING ME, I WAS BORN IN 13 JULY 1985. ANY GUKURAHUNDI WHO OPERATED IN TSHOLOTSHO IN 1984 PLEASE COME FORWARD.

Posted By SIMAYEDWA , Stellenbosch, Cape Town : Sep 28 2007 02:34 PM

 

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For ideas on reducing your carbon footprint visit Yahoo! For Good this month.

The Pharisees of our politics!!

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Zim Standard

Sundayview by Tamuka Charles Chirimambowa

23 September, 2007

THE recent political developments regarding Constitutional Amendment 18 compel me to contribute to the debates that have arisen within civil society and the country in general. Key to my contribution is to implore ourselves to ponder on the role of civil society and the political parties in finding a solution to the Zimbabwe crisis.

There seems to be some misinformed and fundamentalist innuendos particularly within civil society in Zimbabwe. The accession by the MDC formations to Amendment 18 is seen as a betrayal, and some have even further vowed to server ties with the opposition.

Let me hasten to say such actions are unfortunate and cocoon ourselves in grand delusions of self piousness. There seems to be a tendency of increasing culture of political Pharisees, who preach right and walk left in the evening. Such behaviour reminds me of an old fable of the grasshopper which my grandmother used to tell me about, which I termed the grasshopper syndrome. It would react vigorously whenever you touch it and in the process break its hind legs yet it would need them for take off to fly and the result has always been it gets stuck and becomes vulnerable to prey.

There seems to be lack of appreciation of the SADC initiative within our civil society movement. There is a great distinction between civil society and political parties. Whilst political parties can enter into alliances with civil society organisations, the two entities will never be the same and always pursue the same agendas. One thing that has to be acknowledged by civil society as so far done by all political parties is that we have a major crisis and as such we can't have the burn-the-house-to-kill-the-snake mentality. The accession by the MDC in tandem with promoting the SADC led dialogue is to create conducive and confidence building measures to the inroads made so far.

It should be noted that even Zanu PF has agreed to discuss and possibly reform contentious issues such as the Public Order Security Act, Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, and governance issues.

In this case most of the people who have become critics of this process have failed to appreciate that any process that tries to unlock our deadlock and encourage negotiations, has to be promoted. This does not mean that this route has no political risks, and at the same time is sacrosanct to the MDC and can therefore not be abandoned if it fails to deliver. More so, there is a deliberate mischief of the reductionism syndrome that because there is still violence then agreeing to the amendment is betrayal.

What people are failing to note is that these talks are actually meant to deal with that violence and there is nowhere the MDC has claimed that Zimbabwe's problems are over. Therefore there is need for us to begin to engage within the framework of the SADC initiative as finally agreed to by Zanu PF and the MDC. It seems we are also failing to recognize that Zanu PF all along has been saying there was no crisis in Zimbabwe. The positive step in this case is that there is that recognition and they have agreed to play ball. Reducing everything to Robert Mugabe or Zanu PF misses the essence of the talks.

Besides, there is a failure to recognize that Zanu PF has a two thirds majority in both houses that can allow it to change the Constitution. Thus the argument of going to bed with Zanu PF is rather more than grandstanding populism.

There is a need within civil society to begin to forward substantive issues to be considered for debate within these talks. However, it seems civil society is ignorant of its responsibility and assumes that Rome was built in a day. I firmly believe what the MDC has done is part of the many steps that various Zimbabweans may take on the journey to our liberation from dictatorship. Henceforth, the debate should focus more on the agenda of these talks, rather than labelling each other as sell- outs.

Just as food for thought both the National Constitutional Assembly and Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition recently changed constitutions to keep certain dynasties. This reminds us of Jesus' words to the Pharisees that let he who has not sinned pick the first stone to strike the woman adulterer. Not saying that the MDC has sinned, but the point being that let us stop this self vindictiveness.

If civil society organisations feel that the MDC and Zanu PF should not negotiate then they should not try to impose their will on these parties. I think my colleagues in these movements fail to understand rudimentary processes of conflict resolution. There is no way we can say we won't negotiate with Zanu PF, when they are occupying organs of the State. That is not realistic at all even in a utopian world, and as such our energies need to be synergized getting the best out of all opportunities present to liberate us from serfdom.

What is fundamental for us as Zimbabweans is to make sure that we do not sleep on our laurels as we did in 1987. There is strong conscious need to guard against a deal that would lead to the two parties agreeing to form another gravy train as happened between Zanu PF and PF Zapu.

The role of the SADC mediation is not to install any leader or political party, but to create an environment that is free and fair. It is my humble opinion that within the framework of parliament there is hope to achieve what we have been searching for. The argument that Mugabe is cunning can't stop negotiations but serve as a call to be alert in our dealings with the regime.

Participation or giving a chance to the SADC initiative should not be an end but one of the means to an end. It is my contention that attempts to demonise the MDC leadership by some civic leaders are unfortunate and self serving. They are not at all representative of the people, and it would be foolhardy for them to assume that their interests are the people. There is a danger of some civic organizations and leaders becoming irrelevant and out of touch with reality.

Let us explore all alternatives before us and if it fails we leave it, and move on. The ahistoric interpretation of the 1987 Unity Accord will not take us anywhere.

OPEN LETTER TO THE BRITISH PRIME MINISTER, MR GORDON BROWN!

LINK!!!!!!

Back up rhetoric with actions, Gordon

Friday 14 September 2007


By Tanonoka Joseph Whande

GABORONE - Hello Mr Gordon Brown.

Your Foreign Secretary, David Miliband, is quoted as saying that if Zimbabwe’s notorious President Robert Mugabe attends the Portugal summit, you will not attend.

This is just unbelievable, Gordon. Now I know how the Israelites felt when they received manna from heaven. Say, did John Howard of Australia whisper something to you? I mean, this is really neat and all.

I hope you have told British Airways and those overpaid security people, who were counting on overnight expenses, to unpack. Mugabe should not and must not be seen or allowed to mingle with ‘world leaders’.

Let him have his time with the uninspiring African presidents who continue to applaud him every time he makes those wayward remarks.

Apart from ‘diplomacy’, a word African presidents grossly misunderstand, African presidents lack compassion and accountability, Gordon.

They have their muzzles so deep into the feeding trough that they, unlike you, don’t feel the pain inflicted on fellow Africans.

And I challenge any one of them, just one in all of Africa, to state publicly their revulsion at the unnecessary suffering in Zimbabwe.

Let me hear only one African president express disgust at Mugabe for killing and abusing defenceless people. African presidents want to blend with other world leaders while they ignore the vile they collectively allow to take place at home.

And, Gordon, I have seen them dressed up in tuxedos, looking like penguins in the desert, as you shower them with food, laughter and wine at ‘state functions.’

Oh, my friend, you are just as much to blame.

No more state functions for these men. South Africa, Zambia, Botswana and Mozambique know about state sanctioned violence in Zimbabwe.

They know exactly the type of torture and abuse of civilians taking place in Zimbabwe and yet they don’t seem to care.

You see, Gordon, we are one people who have turned against ourselves. We can only blame you and your ‘friends’ in Europe and America for supporting such inhuman, cruel and insensitive leaders.

Even the serenity of the church is no longer sacred under Mugabe. We can no longer freely preach or attend church services as the language in the Bible flies in the face of Mugabe’s intentions.

He, you will recall, blasphemously accepted the accolade of ‘son of God’ and he rewarded the blasphemer with a cabinet post. Look across Africa and see what your ‘European Union’ did to Africa.

When you partitioned Africa, you were adversaries in Europe. Today, Africa is fragmented and Europe is united. But you now wine and dine African presidents while they abuse their people.

However, I applaud you for declaring that you will not go to Portugal for that meeting if Mugabe is there. But you have to go further.

SADC leaders, who fervently support Mugabe, will be there. Hit the deceitful executives with sanctions too. We cannot send our children to school, Gordon.

We cannot eat because we cannot find the food, the jobs or even the money.

Zimbabwe’s educational system, once the world’s pride, has evaporated as the gluttonous imbeciles feast on state coffers, reducing the education of our children to a senseless, expensive, unaffordable and unproductive exercise.

The University of Zimbabwe is now a ghost edifice. Even students themselves shun it, with only a quarter of those ‘admitted’ showing up this year.

We need not talk about health delivery, for there is none anymore. Gordon, if you and your elite group are going to meet so as to discuss about diamonds from Botswana, gold from South Africa, cocoa from Ghana, oil from Nigeria, cashew nuts from Mozambique . . . and you forget about the people, then you might just as well stay at home.

When you meet, sit down and talk about human rights in all African countries.

But if you boycott the Portugal summit, you will be sending a message to Mugabe, to the African presidents and to fellow European Union members that you can back up your words with action, just like the Australians.

Please, don’t shame us by being ‘talked into it.’ On my part, I feel totally embarrassed that all African leaders tolerate the abuse of African people by African presidents.

I have yet to hear a single African president opposing or criticising the mayhem in Zimbabwe. I feel doubly mortified that the deliverance and emancipation of the African people from the clutches of their African dictators are being championed by foreigners like you and John Howard.

I love my Africa, Gordon, and your African stooges are messing up our continent. Australia is backing up its rhetoric with action, Gordon.

As a parent myself, I find the deportation of young Zimbabwean students from Australia unfortunate. But it should make those children think why such a thing has happened to them. That is very important.

It should show them that they are benefiting from blooded opportunities. Do what the Australians did and send our citizens back to their parents.

Meanwhile, listen to the silence of African presidents. None of them will take a stand and defend their principles because people like you, Gordon, are subsidising their recalcitrant behaviour.

The travel sanctions on Mugabe and his cohorts are working; please tighten the screws and make sure that Mugabe finds no loopholes to sneak into the EU. He is a master at that.

But, Gordon, I do not understand why you should punish Mugabe alone.

Your efforts are being undermined by African presidents, especially those who share a common border with Zimbabwe. They are supporting human rights violations.

They are supporting, in whatever way, the killing of innocent people in Zimbabwe. I am compelled to warn you to look out for a notorious African president who only visits the drinking wells when all of Africa is asleep.

He doesn’t go there to quench his thirst but he always takes toilet paper with him. This man has always succeeded in influencing other so-called leaders into behaving illogically.

Be a man and carry out your threat, Gordon. African dictators will not stay away because they are not paying for the junket. After all, they are coming there for shopping but, most importantly, they are coming there to ask for money.

Let them stay away. African presidents continue to support state sanctioned abuse, human rights violations, electoral fraud and murders in Zimbabwe. If the Portuguese insist on having Mugabe, don’t worry about them.

They have always like that. They were the poorest, most useless and stingiest of all colonisers. Oh, sorry, Zimbabwe will never be a British colony again.

It is already a Chinese colony.

* Tanonoka Joseph Whande is a Botswana-based Zimbabwean writer.